What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Medica Peel Oil
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Rose Flower Oil
Masking
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Soluble Collagen, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Raffinose, Isostearyl Isostearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Folic Acid, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, CI 42090, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Erythritol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Zingiber Aromaticus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Pyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
PPG-17
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beheneth-30
CleansingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Iron Oxides
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Beheneth-20, Silica, Myristyl Myristate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Erythritol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Caffeine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Zingiber Aromaticus Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Polyquaternium-51, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, PPG-17, Stearyl Alcohol, Beheneth-30, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Cellulose Gum, BHT, Sodium Metaphosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
